The sun hit Dawnview Village hard that morning, turning the damp timber roofs a bright, stinging gold. Under the eaves, the crystal lanterns were still sputtering like dying stars, their glow looking weak against the daylight. You could smell the bakery starting its first shift—warm yeast and sugar—but it was mostly buried under the stale, sharp scent of woodsmoke and the hundreds of players who hadn't slept in twenty-four hours. The whole place felt like a bowstring pulled too tight.
Today was Day Six, and Dawnview had completely transformed.
The central plaza was no longer a place to shop; it was a meat market. Players huddled in jagged circles, waving signs and shouting over one another. It was a mess of ego and desperation.
Riley pushed through the gate, Luna shifting on his shoulder while Lumi hovered nearby, radiating a weirdly smug "alpha" energy that seemed to say he owned the cobblestones.
Aria stopped dead in her tracks, taking in the scene. "Behold," she said, throwing an arm out. "The thirstiest marketplace ever created."
Beside her, Dot clicked her tiny legs in judgment, pointing toward a group with a massive wooden sign that read: TANK/DPS NEEDED — LVL 6+ ONLY — META SPIRITS OR KICK.
"They're level five at best," Hayes muttered, eyeing their gear. "And half those chest plates are one hit away from shattering."
They passed another group chanting about "Loot Priority" and "Guild Invites." Aria just rolled her eyes. "Guild invite? They can't even find matching boots."
Suddenly, the crowd surged. A pack of players went sprinting past, shouting like they were chasing a rare drop. At the center of the storm was Andy Lendrim. He had a Skyrazor Falcon on his shoulder and a look on his face that suggested he was very much enjoying being Level 8.
"Andy! Join us! We'll give you every uncommon drop!"
"I'll trade you my iron staff and my sister's number!"
Andy just waved them off with the practiced, tired smile of a celebrity avoiding the paparazzi.
"He's a walking Black Friday sale," Aria whispered, clutching her chest.
"Embarrassing," Dot clicked.
But Riley's focus had shifted. Away from the shouting, sitting on a stone bench by the fountain, were the three kids from yesterday.
Kalyani, Jonathan, and Rezion.
Their spirits—a Fire Cat, a Tiger Cub, and an Icy Husky—were huddled together, trying to look tough. The kids looked anything but. Jonathan was kicking a loose stone, and Kalyani's eyes were rimmed with red.
A group of older players walked past them, not even lowering their voices. "Level four losers. No wonder they're benched. They'll get flattened in the dungeon."
The kids flinched. Aria's face went red, her fists balling up. "Oh, hell no. Let me at them—"
Riley put a hand on her shoulder. "No. Watch this."
He walked over and knelt down so he wasn't looking down at them. The three of them stiffened, expecting another "constructive" rejection.
"If it's about the team... we get it," Rezion said, his voice small and guarded. "We're too low. You don't have to be nice about it."
"Actually," Riley said, "We already want you."
The silence that followed was heavy.
"No test?" Jonathan asked.
"No conditions?" Kalyani whispered.
Riley smiled. "No negotiations. You're with us."
Aria marched up behind him, hands on her hips. "Yeah! Welcome to the Chaos Family. Applications closed, no refunds."
The change was instant. The kids' spirits puffed up—the Husky even let out a tiny, frosty bark. It was the first time they'd looked like they belonged since the game started.
Riley stood up, turning to his core team. "Aria, Sofia—take them to the forest. I want them hitting Level 5 by sunset. That's when their next major skill unlocks."
"I shall train them with the ferocity of a caffeinated squirrel," Aria promised, cracking her knuckles.
Before they could move, a trio of Level 6 players in polished gear swaggered over. They had a Stone Wolf, a Wind Hawk, and a Thornback Stag. The leader didn't even look at the kids; he went straight for Riley.
"We're putting together a top-tier run," he said. "We could take your group. But we get all spirit orbs, your healer focuses on us, and you don't roll on any epics."
Aria let out a sharp, barking laugh. "Hah! No."
"You'd guarantee a first clear with us," the leader pressed, his eyes narrowing. "Don't you want the prestige?"
Riley didn't blink. "No amount of prestige is worth teaming up with people who don't respect their allies. We're good."
The leader's face soured. "Fine. Enjoy losing."
As they stormed off, Aria yelled after them, "Enjoy your lootless, friendless existence!"
Riley turned back to the group, the chaos of the plaza fading into the background. "Alright, enough talk. Sofia, Aria—get them to the forest. Make them feel safe, but make them work."
"And you?" Hayes asked.
"I'm going to Kipp's," Riley said, Luna nuzzling into his neck. "We need at least twenty Mirage Draughts before tomorrow. Maybe more."
He looked at the kids one last time. He reached out and scratched the Fire Cat behind the ears.
"You're safe with us," he told Kalyani.
"Promise?" she whispered.
"I promise."
Aria pointed a dramatic finger toward the forest gate. "TO TRAINING!"
The kids followed her, a mix of nerves and newfound hope. Riley watched them go for a moment before turning toward the alchemist's shop.
Day Six had started. Tomorrow was the preparation. Day Seven... the dungeon would open. And for the first time, they actually looked like a team.